MISSING PLANE
SOUTHERN CLOUD. SIGNALS SEEN. NEAR AIT. KOSCIUSKO. (Australian Press Association.) MELBOURNE, March 25. A police report from Albury states that residents of Tintaldra, near the : border, saw a fire yesterday afternoon 'and night, and saw flashes every fifteen minutes in the ranges in the direction of Klandra and Mt. Kosciusko. Tn the hope that these may he signals from the Southern Cloud, Kingston! Smith in the Southern Sun left Melbourne- this morning to search the Kosciusko district. Other reports that were investigated by him yesterday proved “wash outs.” The objects that Ranger Spnrgo saw on Mt. Hot-ham turned out to he snow.
“ff the plane made a. safe landing in some inaccessible spot, we will find them alive,” Kingsford Smith said. “The Southern Cloud carried a big supply of water. Her passengers c-ould hang out for a week. Tt would be possible for Pilot Shortridge to bring down the plane in the most thieklvwooded country without injuring anyone. He could either pancake on the trees, or dip down the wing, which absorbs most- of the shock.” Two youths.carried the news of tlie flashes seen at Tintaldra by motor cycle- to Holbrook, sixty miles away. The smoke was seen at five o’clock yesterday afternoon, and when darkness fell, two spears of light were visible.
A resident in a telephone communication said. “We watched the phenomenon for a while. The flashes went out and in for several minutes, and then a pause followed. Again the flashes were repeated. By this time, half of the population of sixty were in the street Watebjing the -signs. If was then decided to try and answer the calls. The headlights of motor cycles were turned on. When we started this, the signalling ceased. When we stopped, it was quickly repeated. Then there came two long rays. At nine o’clock these went out.”
The signals appeared to he not more than twenty miles away in the direction of Kosciusko. Tlie- Postmistress at Tintaldrq said that smoke was seen coming from the same place together with signals in the Tolong Ranges, which are heavily timbered and are almost inaccessible. The Postmistress said that it was unusual for a fire to be seen there. She had never heard of anyone camping there. The point was high up on the range in the direct route taken by the Australian National Airways planes. Tn several instances in the Flowerdale district- where it was reported that the residents had heard terrific crashes in the hills, it has been found that huge trees were brought down by the storm.
The Southern Cloud carried no flares. Verev pistol, firearms, no medical equipment. MORE PLANES GO OUT. SYDNEY, March 25. Four more light planes have left Alascot to join in the search for the “Southern Cloud.” .... . . One volunteer ground searcher from Yea, a member of the local Light Horse, named McNamee, has been lost. He became seperated from the main party. There has been no word for two days. TOKIO—PARIS FLIGHT. TOKIO. A larch 24. The French aviators. Burtin and Moench, starting on Thursday, a,re returning; to Paris by the same route they came by. They are confident that thev will establish a record.
FRUITLESS SEARCH. PILOTS. STILL CONFIDENT.: MELBOURNE, March 26. The day’s search by nearly thirty planes and hundreds of ground workers was fruitless. Kingsford Smith made two spectacular flights spending ten hours in the air under difficult conditions. Experienced pilots are still confident that the missing air liner will he found in the area including Yea. Flowerdale, Kinglako, and Gleoburn districts, forty to fifty miles northeast of Melbourne. Smith saw no sign of the signals reported near Koscuisko. STILL HOPEFUL. CONFIDENCE IN PILOT’S ABILITY. (Received this dav at 9. a.n>.) SYDNEY, March 26.
Mr F. H. Stewart, Chairman of the National Airways, while admitting the seriousness of the position states he is still hopeful that Shortridge would he able to. put .the Southern Cloud down saving the passengers. Be recalls that Smith and Ulm were lost twice as long as the Southern Cloud and were found. The Company has the same faith in Shortridge’s ability. Mr Stewart .depreciated the harmful unfounded rumours circulated about the fate of the Southern Cloud causing pain to those closely associated with the missing crew and passengers. Kingsford Smith commenting on yesterday’s work said that the search was hampered by bad weather. Many conflicting reports, as to places where supposed” signs of tlxe plane were seen.
caused ; a division of the searchers, which meant some spending their efforts vainly. Smith is confident the Southern Cloud will he found in the next two days, hut is fearful of the oc--upant’s fate.
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Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1931, Page 6
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775MISSING PLANE Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1931, Page 6
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